Scubaism

The Environmental Protection Agency is warning bush fishermen in the Channel Country in Western Queensland to stop using illegal drum nets that kill native turtles, as well as catch fish.

Scientists carrying out research along the Coopers Creek near Windorah have found large numbers of dead short-necked turtles inside the drums being used by anglers. The turtles swim into the drums for the bait and drown when they cannot escape.

Biodiversity officer Darren Fielding recommends people fish with rod and reels - not drums. “At a local waterhole one drum net could kill off 100 turtles at once, because they’re quite big drums and the turtles could fit in there,” he said. “So with one drum net you could really make an impact on the turtle population.”